CHC2D - Mrs. Kelsey

Beginning of the War Germany knew it would have to fight both France and Russia The German plan was to attack through neutral Belgium, bypassing the heavily defended border This was known as the “Schlieffen Plan” after the German General Alfred von Schlieffen

On August 2 nd 1914, Germany invaded Luxembourg and Belgium The German advance was stopped at the River Marne in September 1914

The fighting bogged down, and both sides started to build trenches For the rest of the war, most of the fighting took place in a relatively small area in North East France and Belgium

April, 1915: Canadian troops fought a battle in Ypres, a Belgian city located in the region of Flanders. They experienced gas warfare for the first time.

Clouds of chlorine gas forced large sections of soldiers from the front lines. Chlorine gas works by burning the throats of its victims and causes death by asphyxiation.

Despite the use of chlorine gas, the Canadians and British held their positions, although 6000 Canadians were killed or injured.

It was at this battle that physician John McCrae wrote his famous poem, “In Flanders Fields” to commemorate the dead and wounded he treated at the battle.

From July to November 1916, Canadians fought this battle near the river Somme in France. British Soldiers in a trench at the Somme

The Canadians were led by Sir Julian Byng, under the command of Sir Douglas Haig of Britain. Out dated military tactics (troops to smash through enemy lines followed by cavalry) created a disaster. Sir Douglas Haig Julian Byng

The 1st Battalion of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment suffered perhaps the worst casualties of any unit on the first day of the Somme, when 91% of its men were wounded or killed in just 40 minutes. Newfoundland Regiment, No. 3 Platoon, A Company, Fort George, Scotland, ca. 1915

There were over a million casualties at this battle. The C.E.F. suffered casualties at this battle. The Allies claimed victory in the end: only 8 kilometres were gained.

The ridge was an important strategic position. Canadian soldiers used a new approach to capture the ridge from the Germans – including careful preparation, precise timing and great accuracy by Canadian gunners.

Canadian troops, led by General Julian Byng, practiced thoroughly in advance. This was first time all four Canadian divisions participated in a battle together, as a cohesive formation. A new ``leap frog` technique was used. Canadians achieved victory in a stunning four days.

Vimy was heavily fortified by Germany and was considered impregnable (impossible to capture). Large underground chambers and dug-outs throughout the ridge protected Germans from shelling. Byng had four divisions spend 5 months near Vimy to prepare. They were probably the best trained and equipped troops on the Western Front Raids were done before the battle to gather information Artillery preparations and build up for the attack were massive: new tramways were built, miles of plank road were constructed to move ammunition and soldiers. Small units and individual soldiers were given much more information about the battle. Vimy: Preparing to Attack

THE ATTACK: began Easter Monday, April 9, 1917 Began with barrage of machine gun fire and exploding mines, gas shells fired into German areas Canadians broke into German trenches and took many prisoners, but sustained heavy losses Despite hard fighting all across the front, the Canadians captured most of the ridge on the 9th, and the remaining portions of it by the 12th. Fourth Division: objective was “The Pimple” (Hill 145) – attacked on April 12 at 5:00 am Total Canadian casualties were (3598 fatalities)

A.Y. Jackson’s “The Pimple, Evening, 1918”

Vimy Ridge is considered a major Canadian achievement that helped define Canada as a nation. The Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France: dedicated to the memory of Canadian Expeditionary Force members who were killed during WWI.

Passchendaele Ridge was a slight rise in Flander’s fields. Objective: achieve a breakthrough which would result in capture of German submarine bases on Belgian coast.

General Haig ordered a massive assault that resulted in the destruction of drainage systems, just when the summer rains began. The result: fields turned into swamps where horses and soldiers drowned in the mud. Tanks could not be used. After four months virtually no advance had been made.

After months of failure, Arthur Currie, a Canadian General, took over. The CEF then managed to take the ridge under treacherous conditions. There were 8000 Canadian casualties, but a total of allied casualties. Two square miles had been captured.

This was the final offensive of the war between August and November Canadians broke through Germany’s Hindenburg Line defences, winning important battles at Arras, Cambrai and Valenciennes, defeating a quarter of the German army.

Fighting ended at 11:00 am on November 11, 1918.